Week of December 7th, 2015

Quartz and Marketplace prepare for the end of the year.

Teens try to figure out their place in the wake of last month's terrorist attacks.

Why UPS may fall behind on shipping this holiday season; after 51 years as a Christmas special, Rudolph the reindeer still shines; and a look back on this week in business and finance. 

A look at the global deal and how volunteers will be kept accountable

With more shopping shifting online, UPS is struggling to keep up

The gift that just fell flat?

There's a new front in the campaign finance reform battle, and it's close to home.

A tax on high-cost health plans may be delayed past its 2018 implementation date.

Some in the finance world see HFT as a way to game the system…

Leigh Gallagher and Sudeep Reddy join Kai Ryssdal to recap the week that was.

According to Gallup, the average cost has gone up.

The story of Rudolph and how the reindeer continues to shine bright in ratings.

Inflation, South Africa, and Apple's cancelled live TV plans.

Hit hard by the housing crisis, middle aged households are increasingly renting.

Airing on Friday, December 11, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about the draft agreement from Paris climate negotiators; why South Africa is nearing junk credit rating status in spite of being Africa’s second largest economy; and the latest on the battle over Dodd-Frank financial reforms.

Airing on Friday, December 11, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about Australian enterprise software maker Atlassian shares soaring during its IPO; and Robinson Meyer, an associate editor at the Atlantic, joins us for this week’s Silicon Tally.

Africa's second-largest economy could have its debt downgraded to junk level.

The Australian enterprise has bucked the downward trend of many tech IPOs this year.

Congress flirts with more changes to the financial reform law.

The deal values them at $130 billion.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Friday.

An interview with outgoing United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; Chipotle’s attempt to recover from numerous virus breakouts; and how mass shootings impact gun sales.

Chipotle is scrubbing down its restaurants and trying to burnish its image.

Plus, the Every Student Succeeds Act and what needs to change in education

Film and television production is making its way back to Los Angeles.

A new analysis says upping care leads to more graduates who go onto make more money.

How one city solved its traffic jam by making it harder to drive.

Smartphone checkout has had a sluggish start; will Wal-Mart Pay provide a boost?

Taylor Swift's newest trademark comes just in time for the holidays: Swiftmas.

Gun makers and retailers are reporting increased sales and increased profits.

Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch said VW is expecting a lot of lawsuits.

VW's press conference, the euro vs. the dollar, and McDonald's breakfast.

The VW chairman has admitted several mistakes that led to the emissions scandal.

Airing on Thursday, December 10, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll have a preview of Adobe earnings; we’ll talk about the creator of Bitcoin; and Amanda Palmer of the Dresden Dolls, joins us to talk about how Spotify may release certain musicians only to paid subscribers.

Airing on Thursday, December 10, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about news that Volkswagen has admitted that its emissions scandal resulted from a series of decisions, and not a singular error.

A preliminary look at McDonald's all-day breakfast initiative points to early success.

Spotify may offer new options for artists. But they may not be right for everyone.

A new report shows foreclosure filings nationwide have fallen 7 percent.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Thursday.

With college grads balking at the downside to elite jobs, there's an alternative.

That's one reason Yahoo has called off its Alibaba spinoff.

An interview with Gizmodo writer Sam Biddle, a journalist trying to “unmask” the creator of Bitcoin; a look at the state of affirmative action in wake of today’s Supreme Court hearing; and how a startup is changing the consulting industry. 

As the Supreme Court weighs affirmative action, a look at some of the workarounds.

Gizmodo and Wired identify Australian Craig Wright as the real Satoshi Nakamoto.

Dow Chemical and DuPont may merge over 300 years of manufacturing history.

A brewing company in Rochester, New York spreads christmas cheer with keg tree

The big idea of companies trading rights to emit greenhouse gases has floundered in Europe.

Two of the world's biggest chemical companies are in talks.

Airing on Wednesday, December 9, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about a possible merger between Dow Chemical and DuPont; a new walkway that lets ticketed passengers walk from the San Diego Airport into Tijuana, Mexico; and living off the grid in Wales.

Airing on Wednesday, December 9, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about the EU considering a proposal that would allow its citizens to stream content across international borders; fighting online harassment; and artificial intelligence.

The terminal allows passengers to enter a Mexican airport through a US facility.

The Roe family gets its power from alternative source, like wind and hydro.

Anita Sarkeesian of Feminist Frequency on building Speak Up and Stay Safe(r)

Sandy Springs, Ga. doesn’t have many sidewalks, but is trying to build them.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Wednesday.

Why are some tech companies starting up in-house medical research companies?

Ad companies are more interested in what you search on Google and Facebook.

Atlanta's airport is bringing in local musicians to help travelers de-stress.

The legal battle for the 300-year-old shipwreck off the coast of Colombia; Marketplace’s Molly Wood talks about Google’s new private medical research company; and how low oil prices might cause some companies to stop drilling. 

TV is still king of political advertising. Here's why.

Colombia announces its found a 300-year-old ship full of treasure. And lawsuits.

The company just shut down a wing that made a bunch of apps hardly anyone used.

OPEC's continued pumping undercut prices again as small independent drillers are running out of money.

Pepperidge Farm is suing Trader Joe's over cookies that look a lot like Milanos.

Teenage girls in California consider jobs in construction.

You can now get a picture of your mail before actually receiving it .

Anglo American slashes jobs, China's numbers down, and jerk bosses.

Airing on Tuesday, December 8, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about terrorism and social networks; Samsung possibly creating a liquid-cooled smartphone; and metropolitan areas with the highest and lowest broadband adoption rates.

Airing on Tuesday, December 8, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about the Supreme Court revisiting a case regarding Affirmative Action; a possible strike among TSA workers; and subsidizing tickets for students to see Broadway’s “Hamilton.”

TSA screeners' current contract is expiring, and they can't strike.

A complete company overhaul is calling for cutting two-thirds of its workforce.

Justices will hear arguments in Abigail Fisher vs. the University of Texas.

Producer Jeffrey Seller explains why bureaucracy is a hit on Broadway.

Making an energy pledge is one thing, following through is a whole different story

Rick Stone of Nebraska thinks the presidential candidates are getting it wrong.

More than 1 million prime-age workers are not actively looking for work.

Obama calls on the tech leaders to help fight terrorism; another installment of “I’ve Always Wondered..”: this time, we look at the tax code; and climate talks in Paris end this week, what happens now?

The opposition party is now the majority in Venezuela.

General Electric fails to rid itself of appliance products.

Dunkin' Donuts pledges to go cage free eggs for its breakfast sandwiches by 2025

This is the first time Nike has gone "lifetime" with any of its stars

LeBron keeps making buckets — of cash.

Successful cattle ranchers these days need a lot of market knowledge.

The push mirrors national proposals by democratic presidential contenders.

President Obama wants to talk to tech companies about how to thwart terrorists.

Interest rates, No Child Left Behind, and the blues.

Airing on Monday, December 7, 2015: On today’s show, bullet proof gear sees a regrettable uptick in sales; an update from Venezuela; and the economics at play at the heart of the Broadway hit musical “Hamilton.”

Airing on Monday, December 7, 2015: On today’s show, we’ll talk about automation and jobs; whether therapists should text with their patients; and why comedians are using phone locking backs to stop cell phone use during performances.

The numbers show a decline in the blues audience.

While some aspects are positive, texting with a health care professional can be problematic.

The Every Student Succeeds Act will give states more control over education.

Here are the numbers we're reading and watching for Monday.